I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, to one republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with freedom and justice for all…

I stood with a few hundred other people in my daughter’s school today repeating those words of respect for our national freedom. I was at a small town school program to honor our Veterans. There were service men and women of all ages there, from different branches of service, being honored in the best way small children everywhere can show, by singing and putting on production. The school put on a patriotic program, certificates of honor were passed out, and handmade cards from the local girl scout troops were delivered.

I was humbled to see kids from all ages giving high fives to the veterans (one of who is my Grandfather) and thanking them for their service.

Yes, some of the music was out of key. And, yes, some of the older children looked like they were dying of shame to have to stand up in a gym full of people and sing. But they did it for those who serve. One grade even did American Sign Language and sang as well.

Veteran’s day has become a Holiday lost in America. To often, people don’t seem to think about the men and women of this country who have served to give you a Friday off in November. Now days, Veteran’s Day has become lost in the bustle of Halloween and the rush to speed through Thanksgiving to get to Christmas. There seems little time in most homes, schools, and communities to set aside time to honor the living who serve and the fallen who gave all.

I am proud of my children’s school. Proud of the hard work the kids put into learning patriot music and proud they care enough to honor men and women who honored us all by their service to an often ungrateful Country. In the name of free speech, some of those who were honored today were reviled and made to feel the shame for Wars they never started. In the same vein, these soldiers fought to defend people who would rather programs like I went to today, weere never seen in public schools.

I hope with this blog post to honor those who serve, those who have given all they had, and whose families miss them still. See, sitting in that hot crowded gym today, watching American Heroes stand to get simple thank you certificates and homemade cards, I thought about the children in that gym whose fathers were not there to hear them sing of the freedom that they died to protect. I wish more people who espouse freedom had to look into those small faces as they sang of American honor, freedom, and patriotism and then who went home to pictures and vague memories of fallen heroes they barely remember.

God Bless and Protect the American Solider, wherever they serve, for their service and sacrifice gives American’s the freedom to forget about honoring a humble holiday in November.

Thank you for your service.